Go with the float!

EcoFloat White enables the move from white HDPE packaging to transparent PET bottles and containers and combining it with a white, opaque sleeve. The low-density sleeve material supports floatation separation from PET during the recycling process.

CCL Label, a world leader in specialty label, security and packaging solutions, has launched a new version of its established EcoFloat low density polyolefin sleeve material, EcoFloat White.

Guenther Birkner, member of the management team at CCL, comments: “EcoFloat White will enable larger recyclability for dairy packaging – we expect it to be a gamechanger. The dairy industry often utilises HDPE bottles for yoghurt and probiotic drinks packaging or the packaging of similar products. Yet these white HDPE bottles are rarely recycled back into food grade applications for several reasons, including strict food contact regulations. Ultimately, the bottles leave the packaging loop.

“We have seen a large trend to move away from HDPE, in favour of PET, which works well in terms of recycled content for food packaging. We are looking to support this trend with a functional product decoration.”

Closing the loop on milk bottles

“Legislation like the European Green Deal and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation will drive ‘design for recycling’ or eco-design in the coming years. Every industry must develop packaging that is actually recyclable,” explains Marika Knorr, head of sustainability and communication at CCL Label. “Until now, many white HDPE bottles have left the closed loop for food grade packaging and are lost for re-use in a circular sense. By using PET bottles with a white sleeve, dairy brands and

“By using PET bottles with a white sleeve, dairy brands and manufacturers can achieve two benefits at once” manufacturers can achieve two benefits at once. The whole bottle is fully recyclable, and it is possible to achieve the same look and feel that marketing desires – maximising the messaging and on-pack information provided to consumers. Millions of additional PET bottles will be recycled and turned into a new bottle – giving new life to the packaging.”

Enhanced barrier protection with carbon-free inks

One vital aspect of packaging for dairy products is the light blocking property to keep contents fresh and to maximise shelf life. In the past, the light blocking barrier was often achieved using a layer of black or silver ink. Although this protected the product contents it could be detrimental to sorting and recycling process because the standard near infrared detection system commonly used would have difficulties detecting the underlying material.

“As 80% of recycling is sorting, we needed to make sure that our solution is detectable by standard technology used today in the recycling industry,” says Norbert Fenkart, who heads up the R&D department in CCL’s sustainable sleeve label hub in Dornbirn, Austria. “We use carbon-free inks to create additional light blocking properties on the sleeve. These work well in NIR detection* where the underlying rigid PET bottle can be spotted and the bottle sorted into the right waste stream.”

The sleeve is also conducive to the crucial sink/float process step in PET recycling because it is made of a low-density polyolefin material that floats. It detaches automatically from the PET bottle flakes and the density separation is seamless and clean – the heavier PET flakes sink to the bottom of the vessel while the floatable material gathers at the top of the vessel and can be easily captured and removed. The recycler is then left with high-quality, clean PET flakes that can be recycled back into food grade packaging, not only for dairy but also other industries. •

*Tests were carried out at the renowned sorting and recycling expert, Interzero

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